Research Associate in Advanced Platform for Integrated Quantum Photonics Devices

Role: Research Associate in Integrated Photonics Quantum Memories using rare earth doped crystals

Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £36,924 - £46,485 per annum

FTE and working pattern: 1 FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday – Friday

Contract: 24 Months FTC 

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Role Description

The Quantum Photonics Laboratory seeks a talented and motivated scientist to start a new line of research on integrated platforms for novel quantum devices using rare-earth doped crystals for quantum memory applications. Significant goals include 

• the characterization of the optical/spin properties of different crystals, 
• manipulation and optimization of their electronic and spin coherence through complex optical and MW sequences, 
• implementation of quantum memory protocols in both bulk crystals and waveguide structures, 
• integration of MW circuits.

The project is expected to lead to high impact scientific publications and to technological developments related to integrated quantum photonic devices for quantum communication and computation.  The work will be conducted in the framework of a recently funded EPSRC grant involving world-leading partners working on waveguide fabrication and electrical engineering. It will be carried out under the supervision of Prof Margherita Mazzera, who is principal investigator of the funded project.

For more information, please send enquiry emails to Prof Margherita Mazzera (m.mazzera@hw.ac.uk ).

The application requires a CV and a cover letter explaining the motivation/interest in this project to be submitted through the university portal. Candidates are invited to specifically highlight in their applications how they fulfil the essential criteria for the post, listed below. 

We especially encourage applications from women and other underrepresented groups in Physics.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The post holder is required to:

Operate, maintain and modify, when necessary, a quantum memory experimental setup including tuneable lasers, cryocoolers, vacuum systems, arbitrary waveform generators for the manipulation of atomic and spin excitations, and radio frequency sources for the control of spins.

Perform spectroscopic characterization of various rare-earth crystals and implement quantum storage protocols.

Carry out other general tasks involved in scientific research as analysis and interpretation of data, and daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory.

Carry out the research project to a high standard by: 

Meeting planned milestones and deliverables.

Reporting progress regularly to supervisors, both verbally and in written reports

Keeping clear written records of work done and storing data in accessible formats according to a system agreed with the project supervisor.

Collaborate with partners within the project and others as appropriate

The post holder will join the Quantum Photonics Laboratory and will be expected to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a team environment; this involves shared use of laboratory equipment (therefore effective communication between group members is essential).

Assist the development of student research skills and contribute to the assessment of student knowledge in the context of teaching and supervision duties. 

Maintain and develop collaborations with internal and external partners in the field.

Attend group and project meetings, communicating progress on a regular basis. Deliver presentations to project collaborators and the wider research community. Regular short-term travels to visit collaborators and attend international conferences are thus expected and funding to cover caring costs are available.

Write high quality research papers in English for the scientific literature. 

Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media. 

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Essential

A PhD in physics, electrical engineering, or related subjects. Candidates must have submitted their doctoral thesis before starting in post.

The ideal candidate will have a strong experimental background in one or more of the following fields: solid-state or atomic physics, quantum photonics, and quantum information science. 

A record of high-quality publications, as appropriate for the stage in career, in the above-mentioned fields.

Commitment to adopting principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace

Desirable

Previous experience with one or more of the following:

Vacuum and cryogenics technology

Optical and/or radio-frequency technology

Control and measurement of quantum systems 

Programming for data acquisition and analysis

Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers.

Evidence of ability, subject to opportunity, to guide other researchers, e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.

Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Tuesday 18th March 2025.

Please submit your CV via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.  Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm  and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/  .

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm  to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

About the Team

The Quantum Photonics Laboratory at Heriot-Watt University (HWU) is engaged in research covering solid-state photonics, engineering coherent light-matter interaction using quantum structures and devices, and exploiting such devices for quantum technologies. The group consists of about 25 members, including five academics: Prof Margherita Mazzera, Prof Cristian Bonato, Prof Brian Gerardot, Dr Mauro Brotons i Gisbert and Dr Christian Bekker. The quantum photonic platforms used within the group includes rare-earth doped crystals, defects in wide band-gap materials such as SiC or diamond, two-dimensional materials ‘beyond graphene’, quantum dots in III-V semiconductors. The group has well-equipped laboratories for quantum optics and high-resolution laser spectroscopy of quantum emitters at room and cryogenic temperatures, radio-frequency control of electronic/nuclear spins as well the facilities for fabrication of novel optoelectronic / quantum photonic devices. 

The group is affiliated to the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Science (IPaQS), which is one of the UK's largest photonics-oriented research institutes. IPaQS has a strong culture of collaborative research, which is built on the regular exchange of ideas between our experimental and theory groups. We are a tight-knit community of academics that support each other’s career development. We have a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and hold regular events that celebrate our diversity and raise awareness about issues affecting the IPaQS community. We boast world-class research facilities, including a 275m2 cleanroom and 2175m2 of high specification optics and laser laboratories, providing the infrastructure needed to conduct internationally leading research in photonics and quantum sciences. The UK Research and Excellence Framework (REF2021) saw Heriot-Watt Physics ranked first in Scotland and 4th in the UK for world-leading research.

IPaQS is part of the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) at Heriot-Watt. The University and EPS hold an Institutional and School-level Athena Swan Bronze Award, recognising excellence in championing the advancement of the careers of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We offer a range of family-friendly and inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, campus facilities and services to support staff from different backgrounds. Our staff hail from many countries around the world and we pride ourselves as being a welcoming and inclusive place to work. 

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.